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    In Advice

    Pear-fectly pretty wedding cakes decorated with fruit

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    Who doesn’t love a good piece of fruit? Whether is sweet or sour, fruit often reminds us of a warm Summer’s day. Another bonus: fruits make the perfect cake decorations!

    If you’re having a summer wedding, why not lean into it with an adorable fruit-decorated wedding cake? It’s on trend, adds great flavour and is pretty to look at. Make sure to do your research and chose in-season fruits to adorn your sweet treats.

    Here are some ideas to inspire you:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/ByI0GEWDowb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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    Feature image: Unsplash

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    In Celebs

    Somhale cancel third wedding amid coronavirus

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    Following the widespread outbreak of coronavirus, South Africa’s favourite couple Somizi and Mohale have cancelled their third wedding, due to take place in Italy this year.

    The pandemic is affecting 90 countries and territories around the world. There have been 98,441 reported cases and 3,387 deaths worldwide. In Italy alone, there have been 3 089 confirmed cases of Covid-19 infection and nearly 148 fatalities.

    As a result of the health concern, Somizi and Mohale have decided to cancel their third wedding. The Idols judge took to social media to make the brief announcement.

    On Instagram, he wrote, “We have decided to cancel our wedding in Italy due to the Corona virus epidemic……. however we gonna look for another destination but the dress code will include @louisvuitton masks……just like the red bottoms were compulsory at our white wedding so is the LV mask”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9YmUyTBkrp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Feature image: Instagram / Mohale

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    In Fashion

    Dresses we love: bow-detail

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    Who doesn’t love a statement piece? Get creative and add a dash of whimsy to your bridal look with a beautiful bow.

    Feminine detail like bows, lace trims and delicate tulle are classic additions to your dream dress. Whether your dress is modern or boho, a bow will perfectly compliment the final finish. Use them to adorn your shoulders, your sleeves, your bust, or your back.

    Here are some dresses to inspire you:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8eFbfMIFnb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BUmS9UHALYc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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    Feature image: Unsplash

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    In Advice

    Where to register for wedding gifts in South Africa

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    Although you may hope that those people attending your wedding would know you well enough to get a gift you’ll like, its better not to risk it. Your best bet at getting great gifts that you need (and actually want) is to opt for a registry.

    For those of you who are registry first-timers, as most people are, there’s nothing to be intimidated by. South Africa has some great options for wedding registries, and most are user friendly too.

    Here are some you may want to consider, to get the best gifts for you:

    – BANKS  Kitchen Boutique 

    BANKS was established in 1939 in District Six, Cape Town. It was started by Avraham Bank and his son Abba Bank. Today, the store has one of the widest ranges of kitchen appliances, stylish pots and pans, crockery, cutlery, glassware and more. If you’re a couple that loves cooking up a storm, this is the one for you!

    Their registry process is quick and simple too. All you need to do is create an account, add the gifts you’d like to your registry and you’re good to go. For those buying you gifts, BANKS is convenient as they have the option of buying online or in store and they offer delivery as well!

    If that wasn’t enough, BANKS also allows you to have a change of heart. If you’ve registered for and received a gift, but no longer want that item, you’re allowed to exchange it if you so please.

    – Wrapistry 

    Wrapistry carries a variety of brands including Carrol Boyes, Sorbet, Le Crueset, Smeg and many more. If you’re looking for something brand specific, check here first.

    – Yuppiechef

    Stocking over 8 600 products from 700 of the world’s leading brand, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for.

    – Gift Tree

    This online gift store is a one-stop-shop for handpicked gifts. They carry both leading brands and unique designer pieces,  and you can shop from the comfort of your own home.

    – Mr Price Home 

    For homeware at affordable prices, this one is for you. Offering decor, kitchen appliances, and items for your bedroom, bathroom and living room, you can’t go wrong with Mr Price Home. It’s a store that everyone is familiar with too!

    – Bespoke 

    Founded in 2012, Bespoke is known for its distinctive finds and accessible luxury. This store carries a curated collection of home decor items and is perfect for those who prefer unique, hand-picked items.

    – @home 

    @home is a popular homeware store in South Africa, and their outlets can be found all across the country. You can set your registry up online and it can be managed from there. The store also offers in-store consultations.

    – Hirsch’s 

    Hirsch’s started as a family business. Allan Hircsh and his wife Margaret opened their appliance business in Durban in 1979. Today,  it is a huge appliance and home furnishing store and has branches in KZN, Cape Town and Gauteng. They offer the option of an online registry that’ll make your life super easy!

    Also read: Registry mistakes you might be making 

    Picture: Unsplash

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    In News

    Students marry after two-week romance

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    They say that when you know, you know. This young couple are making headlines after getting hitched a mere two weeks after meeting.

    According to Twitter user Yeyethu Baballo, two unnamed first-year students from Rhodes University in Grahamstown tied the knot on March 4, 2020, after being in a relationship for only two weeks. The pair tied the knot at the local Home Affairs office.

    Love at first sight must be real, after all!

    Naturally, South Africans had quite a bit to say about this quick dash down the aisle. Here are a few of our favourite social media responses:

    Feature image: Twitter

     

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    In Emotional

    Women throw best friend a surprise wedding

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    Shevon Cupido and Carmelete Mentoor have been best friends for almost 30 years, and have supported each other each step of the way. Proving that she is a true ride-or-die friend, Shevon, along with their other lifelong friend Jolene Muller, threw her best friend Carmelete a surprise wedding.

    Carmelete met her future fiancé Shawn at a party in 2006. They exchanged numbers and soon became official. In 2012, the pair became engaged at the Cape Company Gardens. However, due to financial reasons, Carmelete and Shawn struggled to set an official wedding date.

    Image: supplied

    Shevon decided to step in and give her best friend a day she’ll never forget.

    “They were planning on eventually having a small ceremony and getting a member of their church to marry them at their house, just the two of them. I knew that wasn’t what she really wanted in her heart so I knew I had to do something as every wedding deserves a celebration,” Shevon explains.

    Sunflowers are the bride’s favourite flower, so Shevon decided to base the decor on this plant and everything fell in place.

    Image: supplied

    Of course, planning a surprise wedding comes with even more difficulties than planning your own. Shevon experienced much stress, particularly over whether they would have enough finances to make the perfect day.

    To keep the surprise alive, Shevon came up with a diversion.

    “My plan was to take her and her now husband out on the Saturday as her 40th birthday was the Thursday before. This gave me an excuse to have them ready for the day and luckily they did not suspect anything until we reached the wedding destination, which was my in-laws home. Before entering the home, I then told them that they are actually there to celebrate their wedding day and was met with shocked but happy faces and lots of happy tears.”

    Image: supplied

    Luckily the bridal couple was over the moon at this surprise.

    “I was shocked and burst into tears when Shevon told us,” says Carmelete. “I then ended up crying the entire day with happiness and gratefulness. I just couldn’t believe that today is the day that I will be getting married. Finally.”

    “My favourite part was seeing everyone that I keep close to my heart. My day was overwhelmed by love, happiness and most of all a thankful heart.”

    Image: supplied

    All images taken by Tred Magill.

    Featured image: supplied

     

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    In Celebs

    Royal wedding cakes throughout history

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    As the first joint task of the newlyweds, cutting the wedding cake takes on a much more symbolic meaning. For a royal couple, however, this is amplified even further.

    Royal cakes often have to be large enough to serve 2 000 pieces for the wedding guests as well as charitable organisations. For this reason, they’re often larger than life. Let’s take a look back at what the British monarchy feasted on for their big days.

    Queen Victoria and Prince Albert – 1840

    As the first marriage of a reigning English Queen for 300 years, this wedding was one to take note of. In fact, their cake set a new standard for wedding cake design. The three-tier English plum cake weighed in at a whopping 300 pounds (136 kg) and was decorated with Roman-style sculptures of Britannia, busts of the couple and a model of the Queen’s favourite dog.

     

    Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh (1948)

    This 9-foot (2.7 metre), 500 (226 kg) pound fruitcake featured four tiers and produced 2 000 slices that went to the wedding guests as well as nearby charities and organisations. As the wedding took place shortly after WWII, rationing was still in place. As a result, many ingredients had to be flown in, earning this treat the nickname, “the 10 000 mile cake”.

    The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer (1981)

    Although the royal couple actually had 27 cakes at their reception, this 5ft (1.5 metre) tall, 255 pound (115kg) creation was the official one. The fruitcake featured five tiers and was decorated with the family coat of arms, the couple’s initials, and flowers.

    Prince William and Catherine Middleton – 2011

    Made by Fiona Cairns, Prince William and Kate Middleton enjoyed an 8-tiered, 3 foot (0.9 metre) traditional fruit cake decorated with cream and white icing in the Joseph Lambeth technique where rows and rows of intricate piped details and garlands are created. It took Carins and her 50-person team five weeks to construct the 900 delicate sugar-paste flowers that adorned each tier.

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (2018)

    Designed by Clare Ptak, the lemon-flavoured cake was soaked in an elderflower syrup made at The Queen’s residence in Sandringham from the estate’s own elderflower trees. The cake was covered with buttercream and decorated with 150 fresh flowers.

    Feature image: Twitter / Kensington Palace

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    In Engagements

    Man performs dance in surprise ice rink proposal

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    A realtor, Daniel John, proposed to his girlfriend, Megan Cheng, during a community ice-skating event on Family Day in Richmond, Canada. The proposal had been well thought out and planned, being six months in the making.

    The real estate company (Sutton Group Seafair Realty) that John works for have rented out an ice-rink for Family Day for the last three years. As they sat down to plan this year’s event, he devised a plan to propose to Cheng.

    “I wanted to do something original for her…So about six months ago, I brought up the idea. And (the Sutton team) all said it was a great idea and I was kind of on the fence,” said John to Richmond News.

    “But that’s what got it going. And then a really good reason (for it) was that all of our family and friends usually come out (to the skate)…which I know is important to her,” he added.

    John noted that one of the other reasons he pushed on with this plan was that he could get some good footage and photographs, as his colleagues could hide in plain sight. Most members of the team lent a hand, ensuring that there was music, stopping the Zamboni from ruining the proposal, and convincing Cheng that she needed to be on the bench.

    When the time came for the big question, John said he had never been more nervous in his life. He performed an ice-skating dance routine in his tux, then glided over to fetch Cheng from the bench. Finally, he got down on one knee and asked…and she said yes!

    “She was very surprised…She was like, ‘Oh, you never lie to me, I can’t believe you pulled this off,'” said John.

    The happy couple, who have been together for just over three years, have not yet set a date for the wedding.

    Watch the proposal unfold here: 

    Image: Youtube / Richmond News 

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    In News

    Man brings llama to sister’s wedding

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    Remember that silly old promise you made your family member or friend in jest when you were younger? If your answer is no, we wouldn’t be surprised. This brother, however, never forgot his vow to mess with his sister on her big day by bringing a llama to her wedding.

    Mendl Weinstock made a rather strange promise to his sister Riva five years before she got married.

    “My sister was talking about her wedding as if it were tomorrow, when she wasn’t even dating anyone at the time,” Weinstock told Insider. “Just to make her mad and get a reaction, I told her if she makes me come to the wedding, I am bringing a llama with me. After a few minutes of arguing, she tried to use reverse psychology on me and said, ‘OK, the llama is invited to the wedding.'”

    Mendl never let it go, constantly reminding his sister of his promise.

    “He has been torturing me with this, in good fun, and has been reminding me of this probably twice a week for the last five years,” Riva said. “I have tried striking so many deals, I have tried doing literally everything possible to make sure it didn’t happen, and lo and behold, there was a llama at my wedding.”

    “Literally, I called him to tell him I was engaged and his response was, ‘Great, I’m calling the llama farm now.’ Probably not even an hour later, I got a text that said his llama rental was confirmed.”

    True to his word, come Riva’s wedding day this past weekend, Mendl showed up llama in tow. Of course, the llama had his own custom-made tuxedo on. It is a wedding, after all.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9PS7ATl-gs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Since sharing the image to Reddit, Mendl has received over 154,000 upvotes and counting.

    Feature image: Unsplash

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